At the end of each fiscal year, what is the most pressing matter on the minds of every earning man or woman? The dreaded filing of the tax return! What else? Every year millions upon millions make an unavoidable appointment with a tax accountant and this doesn’t stop here. Corporations, big or small, government departments, even NGOs and small grocery stores need accounting services which are required by law and just part of the general concept of good practice in the world or money. Becoming an accountant can help not only earn a lot of money, an online accounting certification or short course can get you a career opportunity with large organizations or simply help you do the taxes for yourself, your family or friends and even your own business.

Areas and types of accounting:

The most well known type of accounting in use are tax and financial accounting, things we encounter in our everyday lives while paying taxes and budgeting our monthly income to buy food and pay bills and rent etc. On a professional level, accounting is the reporting of financial information about a person or company (any business entity that makes an investment and reaps a profit or loss return). This information is used by any interested party to access the health of the business entity.

Financial accounting:

The collection and reporting of financial information to users outside of the company (like banks, investors of the SEC etc) is called financial accounting and this takes place at the corporate level. Legal requirements and financial market requirements (as well as conventions of good practice) require that businesses perform financial reporting, at least once every year. A profit of loss statement, balance sheet and cash flow statement are all included in this type of reporting.

Management accounting:

Management accounting is the internal form of accounting which helps managers and business owners make decisions relating to issues like budgeting or sales profitability. This is internally reported accounting and is not used by external users as mentioned above.

Tax accounting:

This type of accounting applies to everyone everywhere. Jurisdictional law requires that a tax return is filed for every financial entity (a person or small or big business) and this return is based on the accounting of expenses and income (for instance) to calculate taxable income.

Accounting scholarship:

This is the academic discipline of accounting and addresses the formulation and analysis of accounting theory and principles. This form is usually a teaching related area.

Financial auditing:

The audit of financial statements (or the review of financial statements) is called financial auditing. This is done by external auditors – experts in accounting – who review the financial reports of a company and certify that these statements are relevant, accurate and complete, fairly presented and are constructed by following the standards required by the SEC and the users of this information.

Financial auditing is the most diverse and lucrative area in accounting; learning to become an auditor takes practice and a high level of education.

References:

Wikipedia

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DISCLAIMER: Above is a GENERAL OVERVIEW and may or may not reflect specific practices, courses and/or services associated with ANY ONE particular school(s) that is or is not advertised on SchoolsGalore.com.

Copyright 2009 – All rights reserved by Media Positive Communications, Inc.

Notice: Publishers are free to use this article on an ezine or website provided the article is reprinted in its entirety, including copyright and disclaimer, and ALL links remain intact and active.

The global economic recession may have had an unfavorable effect on many fields of work all over the world; however, the need for competent accounting and financial services professionals is now greater than ever. An online bachelors/associate degree in accounting provides prospective and existing accountancy professionals a boost in their careers from the comfort of their own homes.

Online accounting programs have many benefits for prospective professionals, who can work around their schedules and gain valuable knowledge in order to improve their competency in accounting and open the doors to better opportunities. Generally accounting has varied applications for individual corporate business models; there are however some general areas in accounting that are widely recognized as being inherently and individually separated.

Types of Accounting

General Financial Accounting:

This is the recording, retrieval and summarization of corporate/individual financial data. This involves auditing, generating a periodic profit and loss summary, balance sheets and cash flow statements and includes the aspects relating to legal and business requirements.

Management Accounting and Open Book Accounting

This form of accounting is the representation of data and financial summaries for corporate financial decision makers. Open book accounting is an accounting principle to ensure accounting transparency in democratic organizations as well as others.

Tax Accounting:

This is corporate of individual accounting that is meant to ensure compliance with tax laws and regional tax regulations.

Financial Audits

Financial audits can be both internal and external. Internal accounting is similar to management accounting, as it also provides audit summaries to internal corporate decision makers. These audits are carried out by employees of the corporation itself. The external audit is the audit of a corporate entity by external – independent auditor(s); auditors examine financial records and summaries in order to verify their adherence to generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and international financial reporting standards (IFRS).

Accredited Online Accounting Certifications

Traditional campus based and online accounting colleges and schools have recently been offering more customized study programs for students who wish to learn using blended courses and study-from-home programs. Here is a list of some of the major accountancy related programs available in online study formats from major colleges and universities. These courses are accredited and are being offered in a variety of blended/ online formats. Many of these courses mentioned vary in levels of practical versus theoretical knowledge, with emphasis on further opportunities in either the field itself as a professional, as an entrepreneur or in academia.

Online Graduate Programs in Accounting:

- Master of Science in Accounting
– Master of Accountancy
– MBA Accounting
– MBA in Professional Accounting
– MBA/Accounting and Finance
– Master of Science in Accounting – Public Accounting/ Taxation

Online Undergraduate Program in Accounting:

- Bachelor of Science in Business Administration – Accounting
– Bachelor of Science in Accounting
– Bachelor of Arts in Accounting
– Bachelors of Arts in Organizational Management / Managerial- Accounting
– Bachelors of Science in Accounting in Public-General Accountancy/ Tax Accountancy/ Auditing-Forensic Accountancy
– Bachelors of Science in Multidisciplinary Studies – Accounting

Online Associate programs in Accounting

Associate of Science in Accounting
Associate of Arts in Accounting
Associate of Applied Science in Accounting – Financial Accounting/ Financial Investigation/ Banking
Associate of Science in Business- Accounting

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DISCLAIMER: Above is a GENERAL OVERVIEW and may or may not reflect specific practices, courses and/or services associated with ANY ONE particular school(s) that is or is not advertised on SchoolsGalore.com.

Copyright 2007 – All rights reserved by Media Positive Communications, Inc.

Notice: Publishers are free to use this article on an ezine or website, provided the article is reprinted in its entirety, including copyright and disclaimer, and ALL links remain intact and active.

The ACCA Qualification

The ACCA Qualification will help your career progress in any organisation. It’s an established route to professional status – allowing you to use the ‘ACCA’ letters after your name on successful completion. Globally, employers will understand and respect your qualification.

You will be in demand for your finance and accounting knowledge and skills worldwide, regardless of employment sector. ACCA can offer you various entry points onto its qualification, depending on your age and previous academic qualifications. ACCA is the largest and fastest-growing global professional accountancy body in the world, with over 493,500 members and students in 170 countries. ACCA has an extensive network of almost 80 staffed offices and other centres around the world.

Within the ACCA Qualification there is a strong focus on professional values, ethics and governance – skills which are essential as the accountancy profession moves towards strengthened codes of conduct, regulation and legislation with an increasing focus on professionalism and ethics in accounting. As part of your ethical development towards ACCA membership, you will be required to complete a Professional Ethics module in addition to passing 14 exams (nine of which are eligible for exemption) and three-years’ relevant practical experience.

ACCA have a number of learning partners in Ireland and a number of accounting courses online that will help you achieve your ACCCA qualification.

About ACCA

The ACCA has been around for a long time – over 100 years. It means people in business know about the ACCA for all the right reasons. The ACCA have a proven reputation for quality and excellence. ACCA qualifications remain globally relevant. This is why employers recruit individuals with ACCA qualifications and why the ACCA have so many students and members. For ACCA, it’s the end result that counts.

ACCA can provide you with the right starting point to embark on a route to becoming qualified. There are many colleges in Ireland offering part time, full time and online accounting courses. The ACCA will equip you with a qualification that employers worldwide respect, and the skills which help ensure that you are fit for business.

ACCA is known as the global body for professional accountants and our qualifications are available around the world. It means you can study and work wherever you wish your career path to take you. People already working in the accountancy and finance profession know and respect the ACCA and the qualifications we offer. By association, it means you will be in demand. Employers will recognise and respect your qualifications and know you have the right skills needed to get the job done.

The good news is that you don’t have to wait until you graduate to join ACCA. By joining ACCA’s accelerated programme as an undergraduate you are showing potential employers that you are committed to a career in finance. You’ll receive a range of technical and educational support to help you develop the skills employers look for in graduate trainees. And, if you’re studying for a degree that has some finance content, you will probably be exempt from some or even the majority of exams for the ACCA Qualification which will accelerate your progress towards becoming a qualified finance professional. Why not look for an accounting course online today?

GRIFFITH COLLEGE

The reputation for excellence in the ACCA qualification and accountant training is acknowledged around the world, and this will have a positive impact on your reputation in the profession. This qualification is examined in over 170 countries around the world.

But going global doesn’t mean that one size has to fit all. Griffith College offer adapted papers in financial accounting and auditing, and variant papers that test local law and tax. So you can feel confident knowing that you will have a globally-recognised qualification that will also be relevant locally too.

As a professional you will be expected to ensure your knowledge and skills are relevant to the constantly changing needs of the market. Professional development will play a major part in your career, giving you opportunities to further enhance your skills and knowledge. And we will be supporting you on your way to qualification and beyond.

If you want to begin your accountant training – There are 16 Papers in all and, to qualify as an ACCA member, you will need to complete and sit exams for 14 of these Papers, together with relevant practical experience for a minimum of three years. Students must complete Professional Ethics module also.

Among Online Colleges, Accounting Courses Is One of the Most Popular Options

Are you thinking about going back to school online? Now is a great time to educate yourself and improve your resume with an online education. With an online education you can start whenever you want, you don’t have to wait for Fall classes to start. There is one problem with going to school online. The number of online schools is approaching the number of traditional colleges in the United States. This means that there are thousands of choices, all available in the comfort of your own home. How do you know which one to choose?

An important factor to consider is the available courses. An online accounting course is one of the most popular choices because of the demand for accountants. What sets one online accounting course apart from another though? Some of the factors to consider when choosing a accounting course online are accreditation, faculty, and degree level.

Important factors to consider when choosing an online accounting course

The first and foremost thing you want in an online accounting course is proper accreditation. Accreditation certifies that the online accounting college has passed a review of their standards and practices. Without accreditation, employers might not acknowledge the degree you earns or the hard work you put into getting it. So before signing up for an accounting course online, make sure that they have proper accreditation.

Another important factor to consider is the teaching faculty. Even though the accounting courses are online, you still need to find a college that has teachers who are competent in not only accounting, but teaching. Trying to learn from an accountant who doesn’t know much about teaching is hard, and trying to learn accounting from a teacher who doesn’t know accounting is impossible. It is also important that the teachers of the online accounting courses are good at teaching online. Teaching online is very different than teaching in person, and it poses its own unique set of challenges. If a teacher is not used to teaching online, then learning the accounting course material can become very difficult.

A final consideration for when you are deciding which online accounting course to take: What kind of degree do you want? It is possible to get associates degrees or a bachelor’s degree when taking accounting courses online. If you are interested in getting a job and getting experience as quickly as possible, then an associates degree is probably the best for you. The associate’s degree takes an average of 2 years to complete. On the other hand, if you are thinking about becoming a certified public accountant (CPA), then you would want to go for a 4 year bachelor’s degree.

Look into an Online Accounting Program Today

So now that you know what to look for in an Online Accounting Program you can make an informed decision about where you are going to start your new future in accounting.

This article describes some of the major traditional programs which are accredited and available as online accounting study programs at bachelor’s level or higher. While most of these programs mentioned provide similar course curriculums, mentioned here are some of the broader areas and some of the newly popular areas in accounting.

Over the last few years, traditional as well as newer online accounting schools and colleges have been offering more and accounting courses online in blended and asynchronous delivery formats. The programs mentioned below are available online and in such blended formats and have a full duration (i.e. 2yr Masters and 3-4ys Bachelors), however, there are several specialized and industry specific programs and short courses available in accounting and finance. Some free online accounting courses are also to be found which can give you a good feel of this profession and its areas of expertise.

Online Graduate Programs in accountancy

1- Master of Science

The benefits of gaining Masters Degree In this program are much higher salaries, applicable and practical accounting skills proficiency and ultimately, much better career opportunities. Additionally this program is designed to benefit students in their preparation for the CPA and to satisfy the 120-150 credit hour requirements for other professional certification programs, e.g. Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), Certified Management Accountant (CMA), Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) and the Certified Data Processing Auditor (CDPA) etc. This Degree program also helps fulfill requirements for practice licenses in many states. Students must have a Bachelors degree from an accredited institution as far as minimum entrance requirements go.

2- Master of Accountancy

The program is especially designed to prepare students for the CPA, by courses conducted to cover each of the modules in the CPA exam curriculum. This degree is most relevant to working professionals. The common minimum requirements are generally a BA in accounting with a high GMAT score, good GPA and/or alternative work experience.

3- Master of Business Administration (MBA)

The MBA accounting is 10-12 courses degree program that teaches students the methodology of managing a business in an accountancy perspective. The program helps both accounting and non-accounting students the opportunity to explore field of accounting. Those wishing to start businesses or those who are a part of lower-middle management benefit the most from this degree. Normally Students need not have completed a bachelor’s degree in a related field of study in order to be eligible; however they must have achieved an accredited undergraduate degree. The degree qualifies students to sit the CPA examination as well; the coursework prepares even non-accounting students with a comprehensive understanding and practical base for full accounting practice.

4- Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Professional Accounting

This program’s learning is based in practice applications of accounting methodologies as they exist in the current profession. This specialization is meant to teach practical applications accounting practices for the generation of internal and external reporting for organizations along with the teaching of assurance methodologies specifically with respect to external reporting. Auditing, financial and managerial accounting practices form the core of the learning curriculum.

Online Undergraduate Programs in Accountancy

1- Bachelor of Science in Business Administration

This degree program teaches basic applicable principles of accounting and taxation and how these are applied to any kind of business organization. The combination of accounting with law, business management, and information processing as well as general studies courses is ideal to prepare students for managerial accounting and faineance positions as a career.

2- Bachelor of Arts

The BA in accounting course outline is perhaps the most diverse of them all at this level. With courses for financial, cost and managerial accounting as well as auditing, taxation and planning, internal and external auditing; the course prepares students for further studies leading to a profession in any of the above mentioned areas in accountancy as well as for higher education and as preparation for CPA.

3- Bachelor of Science

The course objectives in this program are to impart a basic knowledge of the accounting practice as it relates to business finance, state and local taxation for businesses and auditing and accounting for SMEs (small and medium enterprises).

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DISCLAIMER: Above is a GENERAL OVERVIEW and may or may not reflect specific practices, courses and/or services associated with ANY ONE particular school(s) that is or is not advertised on SchoolsGalore.com.

Copyright 2009 – All rights reserved by Media Positive Communications, Inc.

Notice: Publishers are free to use this article on an ezine or website provided the article is reprinted in its entirety, including copyright and disclaimer, and ALL links remain intact and active.